Individuals from various professions contribute significantly to their National Guard, state, and country through the State Defense Forces, and Evelyn Kloos stands out as a remarkable example of this dedication. Kloos, a Certified Registered Nurse with 37 years of service in western Maryland, including 35 years at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, has made significant contributions to healthcare and community service. She holds specialized certifications and plays a vital role in patient safety, education, and governance at Meritus, caring for a diverse range of patients and leading the Perinatal Bereavement program. Beyond her nursing role, Kloos has been an officer in the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) for the past eleven years, serving in the 10th Medical Regiment. Her commitment extends to emergency preparedness and supporting vaccination clinics during the Covid-19 pandemic. Recognized for her service with multiple awards, Kloos embodies the spirit of service, contributing her medical expertise and leadership both in the healthcare sector and the MDDF.

MDDF Volunteer is Committed to Service

Evelyn Kloos is a dedicated community and public servant who has served western Maryland for 37 years as a Certified Registered Nurse. For 35 of those years she has worked at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown. She holds a National Certification Corporation (NCC) Inpatient Obstetrics certification and an Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM) certification in addition to being an EFM instructor. At Meritus, Kloos serves on several councils such as patient safety, patient education and shared governance. As a staff nurse, Kloos cares for labor and delivery, recovery and newborn nursery patients. Kloos is the coordinator for the hospital’s Perinatal Bereavement program and leads the bereaved parent support group. She sits on the Washington County Child and Infant Mortality Review board and is currently working on a project with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion for an underserved population in her community. She has participated in 14 medical missions to Nicaragua. Kloos has taught nursing as an adjunct professor at Towson University’s Hagerstown campus and at Hagerstown Community College.

Eleven years ago Evelyn raised her right hand at the former Pikesville Military Reservation, then located in Pikesville, to be sworn in as an officer in the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF). After her training she was assigned to the MDDF 10th Medical Regiment. Although she had been working in the community as a nurse for 26 years she, “…wanted to do more,” she shared. “I was drawn to the MDDF because of their service mission and promise to be ‘ready when called’ to serve the citizens of Maryland. I see the MDDF as another avenue to give back to the Maryland community. Our reserve component is dedicated to service above self and that speaks directly to my core values,” Kloos added.

Capt. (MD) Kloos in her current capacity within the MDDF serves as the deputy chief of medical field operations. The 10th Medical Regiment provides support to the State of Maryland with a focus on emergency preparedness. During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Capt. (MD) Kloos worked countless hours supporting Maryland National Guard vaccination clinics that focused on serving military veterans. For her service she received numerous awards including the Maryland Meritorious Service Medal and the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award.

“Capt. (MD) Kloos is an integral member of our team. She is very hands-on and brings a wealth of knowledge and health care expertise to our state missions,” said Lt. Col. (MD) Harold Bailey, commander of the 10th Medical Regiment. “We are very lucky to have her in our unit,” Bailey added. “As a nurse, a MDDF volunteer and a teacher, Capt. (MD) Kloos’ dedication to improving health outcomes for Maryland residents is extraordinary,” said Brig. Gen. (MD) Gregory J. Juday. “She represents the best of the MDDF and the best of our state,” Juday concluded.

The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the State’s uniformed volunteer militia unit providing competent, supplementary, professional and technical support and soldiers to the Maryland Military Department and the State of Maryland as needed. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 200 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland.

MAJ Stephen Rice

MDDF Public Affairs

Source: Maryland Defense Force